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School of Theatre and Dance Presents Annual Student Theatre Festival

Posted Apr. 10, 2013

Kent State University’s School of Theatre and Dance presents the Student Theatre Festival April 12 through 14 in the Erdmann-Zucchero Theatre in the Roe Green Center of the Music and Speech Building. The Music and Speech Building is located at 1325 Theatre Drive.

Admission is free for the Student Theatre Festival. Performances are Fri., April 12 and Sat., April 13 at 8 pm and Sun., April 14 at 2 p.m.

The Student Theatre Festival will feature works by three students, all three of which will be presented at each date of the festival.

Senior theatre studies major Chase Ziegler has two pieces in the festival: “Letters From a Friend” and “Dr. Albert Snorkle’s Guide to Social Successes and Various Other Topics.” The first is a short, one-person piece about finding a box of things left behind from a friend who has passed away. His second piece is less serious: “Dr. Albert Snorkle” is a satire on self-help television programs. Ziegler wrote and directed both pieces.

Ziegler explained that the process of directing ones peers makes the Student Theatre Festival experience unique. “You have to direct them differently than you would someone much younger or older than you and I think it makes for a very fun environment,” he said.

Junior communications major Zach Griffin will direct two pieces: “Hotline” by Demetri Martin and “The Story of My Pekinese,” an excerpt from the novel “House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski performed as a monologue. Cole Mazaher, sophomore theatre studies major, will perform in “The Story of My Pekinese.” Griffin describes the story as “dark, introspective, ironic, humorous and enthralling."

“Hotline” is a piece about a man who feels awkward and lonely at a party and calls a hotline to be coached through the situation. Junior theatre studies major Emily Schrader and senior theatre studies major Joe Adams will perform the humorous piece.

“They both have great comedic sensibilities, and the conversation between them just falls apart. It’s a short burst of absurd and energy,” Griffin said.

The Student Theatre Festival provides students with a unique opportunity to present new ideas to a receptive audience in an intimate venue.

“Ijust think it's a good thing because it gives students with true original ideas and concepts a chance to put their work in front of an audience,” Ziegler said. “The main stage shows are fantastic, but there is something great about the intimacy and genuineness of doing a show in the E-Z Blackbox.”

For more information on the School of Theatre and Dance, visit theatre.kent.edu.